Container for hydratable products



1956 M. L-.. ROLLINS ETAL 3,283,941

CONTAINER FOR HYDRATABLE PRODUCTS Filed Feb. 11, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR5 Mummy 4. Aozz/A/s 7/10/1445 M. 077

BY figm W A from/5y Nov. 8, 1966 M. L. ROLLINS ETAL 3,

CONTAINER FOR HYDRATABLE PRODUCTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 11, 1964 Nov. 8, 1966 M. L. ROLLINS ETAL 3,

CONTAINER FOR HYDRATABLE PRODUCTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 11, 1964 Nov. 8, 1966 M. L. ROLLINS ETAL 3, 8

CONTAINER FOR HYDRATABLE PRODUCTS Filed Feb. 11, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 8, 1966 M. ROLLINS ETAL 3, 83,

CONTAINER FOR HYDRATABLE PRODUCTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 11, 1964 United States Patent 3,283,941 CONTAINER FOR HYDRATABLE PRQDUCTS Murray L. Rollins, Old Tappan, and Thomas M. Ott,

Westwood, N.J., assignors to General Foods (Corporation, White Plains, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 11, 1964, Ser. No. 344,069 19 Claims. (Cl. 220-53) This invention relates generally to containers adaptable for packaging a product under vacuum, the invention relating more particularly to containers of this type provided with easy opening means effective for breaking the vacuum seal at a discrete location on said container while being maintained submerged below the surface of a product hydrating liquid.

The invention has particular utility for the packaging of liquid combinable products intended to be hydrated under the forced hydration process disclosed in the pending application of Murray L. Rollins. As disclosed in the aforesaid application, dried fruits, vegetables, beverages and other liquid combinable products intended to be hydrated and heated, or simply hydrated as product, offer a considerable advantage to the manufacturer as well as to the consumer. The manufacturer enjoys savings in weight and cost of distribution in the case of a substantially dehydrated or dry hydratable product. The product per se is usually hydratable to a preferred quality in terms of flavor, color, concentration and other valves. The ability to control these qualities is appreciated by most consumers.

The term hydrating as applied herein is intended to denote the combining with or impregnation of products by a liquid substance such as water. The term is intended to include the saturation or wetting of a nonsoluble solid which has been dehydrated under any possible condition, whether it be under atmospheric pressure, a vacuum, or while in a frozen state. The term also includes the impregnation of solids having soluble elements which are extracted from the solid to become infused with the liquid, such products being ground coffee, tea, or the like. The term is also intended to include the combining of liquid with a soluble product which has been either dehydrated so as to be in the form of a dry powder such as in now commonly known as instant (soluble) coffee, tea, or the like, or which is a soluble substance or cornibination of dry ingredients not previously dehydrated, such as artificial fruit juices or the like.

By the same token, the terminology liquid combinable is intended to embrace all products which when combined with a liquid results in or produces a product of the desired consistency, whether it be a dehydrated nonsoluble solid, a solid having soluble elements extractable by the liquid, or a soluble solid which may be either a liquid in dehydrated form or a dry substance or a mixture of ingredients which is completely solubilized when combined with a hydrating liquid such as water or the like.

In accordance with the forced hydration or reconstitution concept of the aforesaid pending application, the liquid combinable product is packaged in a vacuum within a vacuum sealed container. When ready for use, the vacuum seal of the container, at a discrete area in the surface of the container, is broken while in liquid tight communication with the hydrating liquid. Consequently, the hydrating liquid is forced under atmospheric pressure into the container and into the minute voids or interstices within the individual specimens of the product as well as between the voids existing between the individual specimens of the product. In the case of products adapted to be heated for use, the hydrating liquid may be preheated so as to elevate the temperature of the product incident to the hydration thereof. The process has been found to be particularly advantageous with respect to hydrata'ble food products, especially freeze dried food products, although it should be understood that the process has useful applicability to products other than those in the food catogory.

In accordance with the present invention, a vacuum scalable container is provided with means effective for rupturing or puncturing the container at a discrete location on the containers surface in response to a light force exerted on the container when in bearing contact with an immovable object, such as the vessel containing the body or reservoir of the hydrating liquid. Preferably, the puncturing means is disposed so as to effect a puncture at one end of the container, while held submerged in the hydrating liquid, thus enabling the opposite end of the container to be handled or held at a point above the level of the hydratingliquid. As an additional feature of the invention, means are provided for preventing contamination of the portion of the container intended to be submerged in the hydrating liquid, which means may also serve as heat insulating means, if desired, in cases where the hydrating liquid is preheated so as to enable comfortable handling of the container when its temperature may have been raised to a level exceeding human tolerance.

It is therefore an object of the invention to enable the easy rupturing of a vacuum sealed container.

It is a further object of the invention .to enable the easy rupturing of a vacuum container at a location thereof which is submerged in a liquid.

It is a further object of the invention to provide means for preventing contamination of a container intended to be partially submerged in a hydrating liquid, which means may also serve as a heat insulation for the portion of said container not intended to be submerged in said liquid.

Further objects of the invention together with the features contributing thereto and the advantages accruing therefrom will be apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a container having an easy opening feature in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view of the container inverted and partially submerged in a body of hydrating liquid and with the easy opening puncturing means activated;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a container according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view of the container of FIG. 5 shown inverted and partially submerged in a body of hydrating liquid and with the easy opening puncturing mechanism activated;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view through one end of a container according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the easy open rupturing means cocked in preparation for activation;

FIG. 9 is a view of the container of FIG. 8 inverted and partially submerged in a hydrating liquid with the easy open rupturing means activated;

FIG. 10 is a sectional detail view taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a sectional detail view taken along the line 1111 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a detailed view in perspective of the opening tab shown separately;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a container according to a fourth embodiment of the invention showing the puncturing tab thereof in a disabled position;

the container taken along FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing the puncturing tab in a ready or puncture-enabling position;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line 15-15 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along the line 16-16 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a view of the container of FIG. 14 inverted and partially submerged in a hydrating liquid and with the puncturing tab thereof activated;

FIG. 18 is a view of the container of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the additional feature of a protective covering over one end thereof;

FIG. 19 is a side elevation, partly in section of the container of FIG. 18, the sectioned portion being taken along the line 1919 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a view of the container of FIGS. 18, 19 inverted and partially submerged in a body of hydrating liquid with the protective covering applied to the opposite end of the container.

Referring now to the first embodiment of the invention as depicted in FIGS. 13, the container consists generally of a cylindrical body portion 5 which may be made out of conventional rigid packaging material such as tin plate, aluminum, or the like and capable of withstanding atmospheric pressure. The top edge of the body portion 5 is rolled over so as to provide an overlapping hermetically sealed seam with the turned under edge of an end closure 7. Secured to the central portion of the end closure 7 is a tab 8 which may consist of a piece of sheet metal having an opening formed therein and through which opening a portion of the end closure 7 is drawn and then flattened down to form an overlying head portion 9, thereby constituting a form of rivet for securing the tab 8 to the closure 7. A weekened tear strip 11 may, if desired, be provided to run outwardly from the riveted connection to the periphery of the end closure 7 and then around the periphery to enable the end closure to be completely removed when it is desired to empty the contents from the container.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the tab 8 is bent upward slightly from its point of attachment to the closure 7 to leave a slight spacing between the tab and the top surface of the end closure 7.

Breaking of the vacuum seal of the container is accomplished with the aid of a leverage member, which may be a strip or bar of relatively rigid metal or the like and bent near its midpoint so as to form two arms 12, 13 meeting at an obtuse angle. The leverage member is disposed with its arm 12 wedged between the upper surface of end closure 7 and the tab 8. The leverage member may be provided as a separate implement and placed into the position shown in FIG. 2 preparatory to opening of the container, or, if desired, it may be lightly attached to the end closure by suitable adhesive means so as to be easily separable from the end closure 7 when activated in the manner now to be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, rupturing of the vacuum seal is accomplished when the container is inverted and partially submerged in a body of hydrating liquid 15 contained in a suitable tank, pan or other kitchen utensil 16. When the container has been lowered to a point where the arm 13 of the leverage member bears upon the bottom of the liquid receptacle 16, a small downward force on the container will cause the leverage member to rock about its fulcrum point with the end closure 7 so as to spread the tab 8 further away from the end closure with a force suflicient to rupture the end closure at its point of riveted connection with the tab 8. Upon rupturing in the aforesaid manner, liquid 15 enters the container through the opening thus formed to hydrate the container contents under the force of atmospheric pressure. When the pressure within the container has been equalized with atmospheric pressure, the container is then removed from the reservoir or body of hydrating liquid, and thereafter the end closure is completely removed by any conventional means, which in the present instance may be by pulling on the tab 18, so as to completely sever the closure 7 along the path of the tear strip 11.

Another or second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. In accordance with this embodiment, the container comprises a cylindrical body portion 21 seamed to an end closure 22 in the same manner as described in conjunction with the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the end closure 22 is partially cut out to define a tab 23 which remains attached to the end closure at the beginning of a weakened tear strip 24. The tear strip runs to the periphery of the end closure and about the periphery for enabling removal of the entire closure when it is desired to empty the container of its contents. Covering the opening in the end closure formed by the cutout of the tab 23 is a film of easily frangible material 25 which is air-impervious and is adhered to the undersurface of the end closure 22. The tab 23 is bent away slightly from the plane of the end closure 22.

Breaking of the vacuum seal is accomplished with the aid of puncturing means which is in the form of a pointed spike 26 supported by a block of sponge 27. The sponge block 27 is disposed between the tab 23 and the end closure 22, the block preferably being of sufficient length to straddle the openingv in the closure, the spike 26 being thus supported in register with the tab 23 and the easily frangible sealing film 25. The sponge block may be provided as an implement separate from the container, or, if desired, may be adhered to the container in the position shown.

When it is desired to hydrate the contained product, the container is inverted, and with the sponge block 27 in place, the container is partially submerged in the body or reservoir of hydrating liquid 23 contained in a suitable receptacle or utensil 29. When the container has been lowered to the point where tab 23 bears on the bottom surface of the utensil 29, a slight downward force on the container will result in pressing on the head of the spike 26 and compressing the sponge 27 to force the point of the spike through the film or membrane 25, thus puncturing same and breaking the vacuum seal of the container. When ruptured, the hydrating liquid is able to pass through the opening via the relatively large pores of the sponge to thereby hydrate the container contents under the force of atmospheric pressure. As in the first embodiment, once the interior pressure has been equalized with atmospheric pressure the container may be removed from the hydrating liquid and the end closure thereafter completely removed, such as by pulling outwardly on the tab 23 to completely sever the end closure along the path of the tear strip 24.

FIGS. 7-12 illustrate still another or third embodiment of the invention. In this third embodiment of the invention a cylindrical body portion 31 of a container is joined in the same manner as in the previous embodiments to an end closure 32. The central poltion of the end closure 32 is drawn out in the form of a sperical extrusion 33 joined to the main portion of the end closure by a relatively narrow neck 34. Mounted on the extrusion 33 is a tab 35 formed out of a blank of relatively rigid mate-rial such as sheet metal or the like. One end of the tab 35, as best seen in FIG. 12, is bent into a circular shape and bifurcated so as to form a pair of gripping tongs 36 projecting beyond a limit edge 37. The circular end of the tab, including the tongs 36, fits around the extrusion 33 securing the tab thereto and allowing a limited amount of pivotal movement of the tab relative thereto.

FIG. 7 shows the tab in its disabled position which would be its normal position during handling and storage of the container. When it is desired to hydrate the container contents, the tab is rotated to the position thereof shown in FIG. 8 which may be considered its cocked position and wherein the limit edge 37 abuts against the neck 34. The container is then inverted and partially submerged in a body or reservoir of hydrating liquid 38 contained in a suitable receptacle or utensil 39. When the container is submerged to a point wherein the tab makes contact with the bottom of the utensil, a slight downward force on the container will act to pull the extrusion 33 away from the main portion of the end closure 32 to rupture the closure in the area of the neck 34 and thus break the vacuum seal of the container. As in the other embodiments, the liquid 38 is forced under atmospheric pressure into the container to effect the hydration of the contents in accordance with the forced hydration concept previously mentioned. Subsequent removal of the end closure for emptying the container of its contents may be achieved by any suitable means or implement.

FIGS. 13-17 illustrate still another or fourth embodiment of the invention. The container according to this embodiment includes a cylindrical can body 41 seamed in the usual manner to an end closure 42. As in the first embodiment, the central portion of the end closure 42 is drawn upwardly into an opening in a tab 43 and then flattened down to form in effect a rivet 44 connecting the tab to the end closure. The tab 43 is bent upwardly slightly from its riveted connection to the end closure and has secured to the bottom surface thereof a pointed stud 45.

The end closure is also formed with a perforate area 46 over which is placed an air-impervious strip or web 47 of easily frangible material such as metal foil, plastic or the like, the strip being secured by airtight adhesion to the top surface of the end closure 42.

Perforate area 46 is disposed the same distance from the rivet 44 as is the stud 45 so as to lie in register with the arc defined by stud 45 when the tab is rotated from its normally disabled position of FIG. 13 to its ready or actuable position as shown in FIG. 14.

Puncturing of the container to break the vacuum seal is accomplished by first placing the tab 43 in its ready actuable position and then inverting the container and partially submerging same in a body of rehydrating liquid 48 contained in a suitable receptacle or utensil 49. When the container is lowered to a point where the tab 43 strikes the bottom of receptacle 49, a slight downward force on the container will bend the tab 43 inwardly and force the stud 45 through the sealing film 47 to rupture same, thereby permitting the hydrating liquid 48 to enter the container and to hydrate the contained product in accordance with the forced hydration concept previously mentioned. Upon completion of the rehydration of the contained product, the container is removed from the hydrating liquid and the end closure 42 may be severed by pulling outwardly on the tab 43 to peel off a weakened tear strip 50 beginning at the area of the rivet 44 and thence running to the edge and peripherally around the end closure in accordance with conventional opening techniques.

FIGS. 18-20 illustrate a protective feature which may be employed in conjunction with any of the foregoing embodiments of the invention, this feature being shown in conjunction with the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. This feature comprises a cup-shaped cover 52 which may be molded or otherwise formed from a material having relatively high heat-insulating proper-ties such as polyethylene, or the like, The covering or hood 52 at the time of packaging is placed over the end of the can having the easy opening means and is dimensioned to fit snugly around the can body so as to seal the covered end of the can against contamination from container handling or storage prior to making use of the containers contents. The hood 52 also prevents accidental actuation of or tampering with the easy opening means associated with the container end closure 7.

The hood or cover 52 is intended to remain as a protective enclosure for the easy opening end of the container until such time as the contained product is to be used, whereupon the cover 52 is slipped off the container and may be placed over the opposite end of the container.

Thereafter as the container is inverted to actuate the easy opening means and effect the forced hydration as heretofore described, the cover 52 will serve as a heat insulating means enabling the container to be manually held during the hydration process even though the hydrating liquid may be heated and thereby cause the heating of the container body 5.

While there has been shown and described what are considered to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will of course be understood that many changes in form could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be not limited to the exact forms herein shown and described nor to anything less than the whole of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A container for use in packaging a hydratable product comprising, an elongate body portion of relatively rigid packaging material, end closures of relatively rigid packaging material connected to said body portion to define therewith a vacuum sealed enclosure, and easy open vacuum release means for opening said container at a discrete area thereof to release said vacuum through the resultant opening, said vacuum release means including a tab member connected to said container and actuatable in response to a relatively light force exerted thereon through said body portion and directed axially of said body portion to push said vacuum release means against a force-resisting object.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said vacuum release means is disposed to open said container at one end thereof. v

3. A container for use in packaging and hydrating a liquid combinable product comprising, an elongate body portion of relatively rigid packaging material, end closures of relatively rigid packaging material connected to said body portion to define therewith a vacuum sealed enclosure, and easy open vacuum release means for opening said container at a discrete area thereof when submerged in a hydrating liquid to release said vacuum in the presence of said liquid, said vacuum release means being actuable in response to a relatively light force exerted thereon through said body portion and directed axially of said body portion to push said vacuum release means against a receptacle serving to contain said liquid.

4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said vacuum release means is disposed to open said container at an end thereof intended to be submerged in said liquid to allow the opposite end of said container to project above the surface level of said liquid.

5. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said vacuum release means includes a tab member connected to said container and actuated in response to said force exerted against said receptacle for opening said container.

6. The invention according to claim 3 including a protective overwrap member covering at least the end of said container intended to be submerged in said liquid, said overwrap member being removably fitted to said container to permit uncovering of said end prior to submersion thereof in said liquid.

7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said overwrap member is formed of insulating material and is adapted to be fitted over the opposite end of said container.

8. A container for use in packaging and hydrating a liquid combinable product comprising, an elongate body portion of relatively rigid packaging material, end closures of relatively rigid packaging material connected to said body portion to define therewith a vacuum sealed enclosure, and easy open vacuum release means for opening said container at a discrete area of one end thereof when submerged in a hydrating liquid to release said vacuum through the resultant opening in the presence of said liquid, said vacuum release means being actuable in response to a relatively light force exerted thereon through said body portion and against a surface of the receptacle containing said liquid, said vacuum release means including 'a tab member joined to the end closure submerged in said liquid, and a leverage member disposed for applying said force between said tab member and said end closure to rupture said closure in the area thereof where it is connected to said tab member.

9. The invention according to claim =8 wherein said leverage member comprises a strip of relatively rigid material formed with two arms meeting at an obtuse angle, one of said arms being fitted between said tab member. and the end closure connected therewith.

10. The invention according to claim 9 wherein the arm of said leverage member fitted between the tab member and the end closure is lightly adhered to said end closure, the other arm of said leverage member being disposed for contacting the surface of said receptacle.

11. A container for use in packaging and hydrating a liquid combinable product comprising, an elongate body portion of relatively rigid packaging material, end closures of relatively rigid packaging material connected to said body portion to define therewith a vacuum sealed enclosure, one of said end closures being formed with a cutout area covered with an air-impervious film more frangible than said packaging material, and easy open vacuum release means for opening said container at said cut-away area when submerged in a hydrating liquid to release said vacuum through the resulting opening in the presence of said liquid, said vacuum release means being actuable in response to a relatively light force exerted thereon through said body portion and against a surface of the receptacle containing said liquid, said vacuum release means including a tab member joined to said one end closure and overlying the cutout area thereof, and a puncturing element disposed for actuation by said tab member for piercing said film in response to said force exerted through said body portion of said container.

12. The invention according to claim 11 wherein said puncturing element is supported :by a body of compressible material in register with said tab member and the cut out area of said end closure.

13. The invention according to claim 12 wherein said body of compressible material is disposed to span the cutout area of said end closure, said material being liquid permeable.

14. A container for use in packaging and hydrating a liquid combinable product comprising, an elonagte body portion of relatively rigid packaging material, end closures of relatively rigid packaging material connected to said body portion to define therewith a vacuum sealed enclosure, and easy open vacuum release means for opening said container at a discrete area of one end thereof when submerged in a hydrating liquid to release said vacuum through the resulting opening in the presence of said liquid, said vacuum release means being actuable in response to a relatively light force exerted thereon through said body portion and against a surface of the receptacle containing said liquid, said vacuum release means including an extrusion formed in said one end closure and a tab member pivotally connected to said extrusion for limited pivotal movement relative thereto, said tab member being positionable to apply the force exerted to said body portion to said extrusion for effecting said opening :by rupturing the said end closure in the area of said extrusion. I

15. The invention according to claim 14 wherein said extrusion is spherical and is joined .to said one end closure by a relatively narrow neck section, one end of said tab member being bifurcated and of circular shape to provide a pivotal bearing between said extrusion and said tab member.

16. The invention according to claim 15 wherein said neck section is embraced between the tines formed by the bifurcation of the one end of said tab member, said tab member being in effective rupturing position when rotated to place an edge of the unbifurcated portion thereof in limiting engagement with said neck section.

17. A container for use in packaging and hydrating .a liquid combinable product comprising, an elongate body portion of relatively rigid packaging material, end closures of relatively rigid packaging material connected to said body portion to define therewith a vacuum sealed enclosure, one of said end closure being formed with a discrete perforate area covered by a film of air-impervious material more frangible than the material of said end closure, and easy open vacuum release means for opening said container at said perforate area when submerged in a hydrating liquid to release said vacuum through the resultant opening in the presence of said liquid, said vacuum release means being actuable in response to a relatively light force exerted thereon through said body portion and against a surface of the receptacle containing said liquid, said vacuum release means including a tab member pivotally joined to said one end closure and rotatable from an ineffective position to an effective position relative to said perforation, said tab member when in the effective position being responsive to said force exerted through said body portion for puncturing said film to thereby release the vacuum within said container.

18. The invention according to claim 17 wherein said tab member carries a puncturing element disposed between the tab member and the surface of said one end closure.

19. The invention according to claim 18 wherein said puncturing element is disposed equidistant with said perforation from the pivotal axis of said tab member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,029,329 2/1936 Ljungstrom et al. 22048 2,214,346 9/1940 Pim 220-44 2,322,236 6/1943 Ingram 22044 2,637,465 5/ 1953 Fisher 22053 3,119,514 l/1964 Kaiser et al. 22054 3,151,766 10/1964 Henchert 22054 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

G. T. HALL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A CONTAINER FOR USE IN PACKAGING A HYDRATABLE PRODUCT COMPRISING, AN ELONGATE BODY PORTION OF RELATIVELY RIGID PACKAGING MATERIAL, END CLOSURES OF RELATIVELY RIGID PACKAGING MATERIAL CONNECTED TO SAID BODY PORTION TO DEFINE THEREWITH A VACUUM SEALED ENCLOSURE, AND EASY OPEN VACUUM RELEASE MEANS FOR OPENING SAID CONTAINER AT DISCRETE AREA THEREOF TO RELEASE SAID VACUUM THROUGH THE RESULTANT OPENING, SAID VACUUM RELEASE MEANS INCLUDING A TAB MEMBER CONNECTED TO SAID CONTAINER AND ACTUATABLE IN RESPONSE TO A RELATIVELY LIGHT FORCE EXERTED THEREON THROUGH SAID BODY PORTION AND DIRECTED AXIALLY THEREON BODY PORTION TO PUSH SAID VACUUM RELEASE MEANS AGAINST A FORCE-RESISTING OBJECT. 